Broome County’s Budget Unanimously Approved

Legislators have unanimously approved County Executive Jason Garnar’s proposed $385 million spending plan that reduces the county property tax levy by 0.6%.

The new budget keeps the sales tax formula intact while municipalities have been pushing for several years for a 50-50 split of those revenues with the county.

Garnar thanked the legislature and its leaders for the passage of the 2019 budget. The Democrat praised both parties for coming together to work to provide continued services along with a reduction in taxes.

Some additions under the new spending blueprint is increased funding to the Chamber of Commerce for a Welcome Wagon program, the hiring of new Corrections Officers needed for Centralized Arraignment and more funding to deal with disasters.